Dwayne27
08-27-2008, 05:20 PM
A short, sweet, dark adventure deep in the heart of the Escalante. A very long approach for a fairly short canyon, but excellent when in the region for other canyons.
Rating: 3B IV
Time Required: ~8-10
Longest Rappel: ~30 Feet
Permit Information
No permits required
Camping/Lodging
There is good primitive camping and a spring in the cottonwoods at the confluence of Fence Canyon and the Escalante River. Also some camping along the Egypt trailhead road. The town of Escalante offers motels, restaurants and camping.
Preferred Season
Spring to fall, summer OK but can be hot.
Water Concerns
Wading and swimming in the canyon. Potential of water filled potholes. Don’t enter when rain is threatening
Special Challenges
The narrow section of Ringtail can be dark. Downclimbing can be dangerous and slippery. Use climbing skills and handlines where needed.
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 60’ rope, ~ 40 feet of webbing, rap rings/links, wetsuits, ascenders, headlamp
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5’ Map ‘Egypt’
Directions to Trailhead
From Escalante Utah drive east on Utah Hwy. 12 approx. five miles to the Hole-in-the-Rock Road. Head southeast on the Hole-in-the-Rock Road about 16 miles to the Egypt Road on your left. Proceed approx. 9 miles up the Egypt Road to where the road forks. Take the right fork another half mile or so to its end at the Egypt trailhead.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
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Approach
From the Egypt trailhead descend switchbacks east and follow the usually well-marked trail across a bench of slickrock domes heading generally northeast along the northern edge of the south fork of Fence Canyon. At the point between the north and south forks of Fence the trail begins its descent into the south fork of Fence.
From the confluence of Fence Canyon and the Escalante River follow the Escalante downstream about a mile. There are some beautiful ancient and historical petroglyphs on the east side of the river along the way. Neon Canyon is the first major canyon you will encounter coming in from the east. About a mile downstream, the next canyon on the left is the more obscure Ringtail.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
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Description: Standard Route
Downclimbing, some via moqui steps. Handline will be useful in at least one place. It is very dark. A headlamp will be useful. Watch for Ringtail Cats in the area. Some downclimbs can be difficult and exposed. You will encounter a couple of potholes to overcome
Exit
At the mouth of Ringtail head back upstream to Fence Canyon and follow the trail back to Egypt Bench.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
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Rating: 3B IV
Time Required: ~8-10
Longest Rappel: ~30 Feet
Permit Information
No permits required
Camping/Lodging
There is good primitive camping and a spring in the cottonwoods at the confluence of Fence Canyon and the Escalante River. Also some camping along the Egypt trailhead road. The town of Escalante offers motels, restaurants and camping.
Preferred Season
Spring to fall, summer OK but can be hot.
Water Concerns
Wading and swimming in the canyon. Potential of water filled potholes. Don’t enter when rain is threatening
Special Challenges
The narrow section of Ringtail can be dark. Downclimbing can be dangerous and slippery. Use climbing skills and handlines where needed.
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 60’ rope, ~ 40 feet of webbing, rap rings/links, wetsuits, ascenders, headlamp
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5’ Map ‘Egypt’
Directions to Trailhead
From Escalante Utah drive east on Utah Hwy. 12 approx. five miles to the Hole-in-the-Rock Road. Head southeast on the Hole-in-the-Rock Road about 16 miles to the Egypt Road on your left. Proceed approx. 9 miles up the Egypt Road to where the road forks. Take the right fork another half mile or so to its end at the Egypt trailhead.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Approach
From the Egypt trailhead descend switchbacks east and follow the usually well-marked trail across a bench of slickrock domes heading generally northeast along the northern edge of the south fork of Fence Canyon. At the point between the north and south forks of Fence the trail begins its descent into the south fork of Fence.
From the confluence of Fence Canyon and the Escalante River follow the Escalante downstream about a mile. There are some beautiful ancient and historical petroglyphs on the east side of the river along the way. Neon Canyon is the first major canyon you will encounter coming in from the east. About a mile downstream, the next canyon on the left is the more obscure Ringtail.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Description: Standard Route
Downclimbing, some via moqui steps. Handline will be useful in at least one place. It is very dark. A headlamp will be useful. Watch for Ringtail Cats in the area. Some downclimbs can be difficult and exposed. You will encounter a couple of potholes to overcome
Exit
At the mouth of Ringtail head back upstream to Fence Canyon and follow the trail back to Egypt Bench.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
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